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PODCAST

"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Domino"s, BJ"s Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Long John Silver"s before determining if they are better or worse than Chili"s: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

arts food

All Episodes

01:10:48

Golden Corral: The Ribs Were Trash, the Chicken...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/07/30

🍽️ This Place Sure Had a Lot of Food Items Score a 1-out-of-10 🫠 This week, we return to Golden Corral - this time, to eat. Joined by comedian and podcast host Ben Cassil (@bencassil), I finally test the buffet itself, from rock-hard bread to surprisingly okay tacos. We found joy in the strawberry shortcake Fanta ICEE and the sheer chaos of none of the food being accurately labeled. Also, someone talked to their mom on speakerphone…from the toilet. This one had layers. 🍖 Ribs That Made Us Regret

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01:04:11

Golden Corral Has Won the Buffet Wars

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/07/23

🥩 Golden Corral’s 100-Year Plan & Dumpster Drama 🗑️ This week, we dive into the sprawling buffet empire that is Golden Corral. From hygiene scandals to military youth camps, this chain has been through it all and somehow, it’s still opening new locations. Joining me is Ben Cassil, host of Live from the Big Apple, to help unravel the chain’s bizarre history, including its long-standing relationship with the troops, a giant brawl over steak, and a game of hide-and-seek with their meat because of an

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01:16:26

Trying Jollibee for the First Time

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/07/16

🍑 Better Than Chili’s? We Finally Taste Jollibee 🍗 This week, we're putting Jollibee through the Chili’s Test. From sweet pies that taste like vacation to spaghetti that... didn’t, we finally try the food and decide whether this beloved Filipino chain lives up to its reputation. With special guest Jason Patrick Galit (JPG) guiding the way, we get the full experience, even if we have to be Sweaty Little Boys in the process. It’s juicy fried chicken, a peach mango hand pie that has haunted my dreams

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01:07:43

Jollibee Is a Filipino Treasure

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/07/09

🍗 Jollibee Is a Filipino Treasure 🍗 This week, we dive into the sweet, crunchy, culturally iconic legacy of Jollibee, the Filipino fast food chain with a bee mascot, a cult following, and a spaghetti recipe that would confuse most Americans. But to millions of Filipinos, it’s more than just a restaurant—it’s home. Joining me is Jason Patrick Galit (JPG) from InterMyth, who grew up with Jollibee and has the love to prove it. From his first spaghetti to a fried chicken hand towel, this episode is

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52:56

Nathan’s Famous: One Glorious Glizzy Soars Above the...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/07/02

🌭 Nathan’s Famous: One Glorious Glizzy Soars Above the Rest of the Menu 🌭 We went to the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island to find out: is this historic wiener mecca actually good, or are we just chasing a bump from a bygone era? Comedian Marty Cunnie returns as my hot dog soulmate to break down every last bite — from snappy glizzies to horrifying frog legs that still haunt my digestive system. We did not eat 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, but our bodies definitely thought we did. 🍋 The Coney

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49:34

Nathan’s Famous: How Joey Chestnut Made a Fake...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/06/25

🌭 Nathan’s Famous: The Hot Dog Empire with a Big Secret 🌭 This week, we dive mouth-first into the greasy, glorious history of Nathan’s Famous, the iconic hot dog brand that gave us Al Capone’s favorite beach snack, a gluttonous holiday tradition, and the most American sporting event of all time: the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. From shady police bribes to feeding royalty to Joey Chestnut’s triumphant return after an Impossible controversy, this episode covers over a

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59:25

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: The Most Consistent...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/06/18

🍗 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: Nothing Was Bad?! 🍗 We went to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken—and literally nothing made it into the “Not Good” category. Nothing! Comedian and improviser Dave Theune (St. Denis Medical, NBC/Peacock) joins me to talk about his first foray into eating dark meat, crispy fried okra, spicy batter, and the kind of service that borders on too attentive (but we loved it). The waiter even coaxed out my Star Wars hot take. Is Gus’s better than Chili’s? That’s the

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50:09

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: From Humble Shack...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/06/11

🐔 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (Part 1): Gus's Parents, the Superfan, and Chicken Championships 🐔 Before Gus’s was world famous, it was just spicy chicken sold out the back of a bar in the segregated South. But that secret recipe grew into a Southern staple, complete with 40+ locations, a chicken-loving superfan turned CEO, and even a rogue rooster who hangs out outside one of their Memphis spots. In this episode, I’m joined by improvisor, actor, and all-around delight Dave Theune (NBC’s St

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01:39:21

"Dunkin' & Donuts" feat. Amy Vorpahl

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/06/04

🎲 Dunkin’ & Donuts: The D&D Crossover You Never Knew You Needed 🎲 This week on the "Fine Dining Podcast," we trade the drive-thru for dungeons. After covering a long, bizarre history — from handled donuts and Fred the Baker to the rise of Munchkins and Dunkaccinos — it’s time for part two: an original Dungeons & Dragons one-shot adventure, played in a world where every NPC runs on Dunkin’. Featuring writer, improviser, and TTRPG icon Amy Vorpahl, this special actual-play episode turns our

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51:14

Dunkin’: Donuts with Handles, Munchkin Origins, & the...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/05/28

☕ Dunkin’ Donuts: Handled Donuts, Munchkin Origins & Al Pacino’s Dunkaccino ☕ Dunkin’ may be a coffee giant now, but its journey started with donuts — one in particular with a literal handle. In this week’s episode, I break down the entire rise of the chain formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts, from its humble beginnings in Quincy, Massachusetts, to becoming the fast-casual coffee behemoth we know today. Plus, I'm joined by writer and performer Amy Vorpahl to unravel some of the weirdest moments in

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54:26

Papa Johns Doesn't Do Pizza Well

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/05/21

🍕 Papa Johns: The Pizza Review That Gave Us Indigestion 🍕 We reviewed Papa Johns… in the lobby. One item at a time. On plastic chairs they dug out from the back. Make no mistake, this branch of Papa Johns rules, but at the end of the day: it's still Papa Johns. After learning the ingredients now arrive in prepackaged plastic bags from an employee literally covered in something the company calls “dust,” we had to ask the big question: is Papa Johns objectively as good as Chili’s? Joining me is

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38:58

Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/05/14

🍕 Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First Bitcoin Pizza 🍕 From a broom closet in Indiana to viral garlic sauce bath bombs, Papa Johns has had one of the weirdest journeys in chain restaurant history. In this episode, I explore the story of America's youngest major pizza chain — the sauce that changed the industry, the man who ate 40 pizzas in 30 days, and how a slice of Papa Johns became the first physical purchase made with Bitcoin. We’re talking about Shaq, lawsuits, racial slurs on

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01:15:14

Chili's IS the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/05/07

🌶️ Chili’s IS the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America (Part 2) 🌶️ After 100 restaurant reviews, this was it. Chili’s officially earned the perfect 5.00 out of 10, making it the most mediocre restaurant in America — the ultimate point of comparison for every meal to come. In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest VyVy Nguyen as we review the Encino location in full detail. From booth battles and dry wings to nostalgic chips and a molten dessert that hides its magic in the middle, we break down

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48:35

Chili's: The Fajita Effect, NSYNC, and the Jingle...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/04/30

🌶️ Chili’s: They Started in a Post Office?? 🌶️ Chili’s. For nearly 50 years, it’s been slinging margaritas, sizzling skillets, and vibes that are somehow both flirty and corporate. In this episode, actress and podcast 3-timers guest club VyVy Nguyen is back to explore the surprisingly spicy history of this chain restaurant icon with me — from its post office origins to its entanglement with The Office, N*SYNC, and the internet’s horniest Vine. Was Chili’s always this unhinged, just waiting for us

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01:04:00

Is Joe's Crab Shack the Best Chain Seafood Restaurant?

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/04/23

🦞 Joe’s Crab Shack (Part 2): Heavenly Shrimp, Sloppy Lob, & Dessert Scores 11 out of 10 🦞 After diving into the shady past of Joe’s Crab Shack, it was finally time to eat. In this episode, I head to the Disney-adjacent location with friend and podcast voiceover contributor Sandy Rose to see if the crab still holds up. From shockingly great coconut shrimp to a fish filet that straight-up betrayed us, we cover every bite, every bathroom handle, and every s’more-stained moment in our quest to

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43:55

Joe's Crab Shack: Drunk Toddlers, Racist Decor, & WHO...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/04/16

Joe’s Crab Shack has been serving seafood and sass since 1991 — but who is Joe? In this week’s episode, I dig deep into the murky origins of this kitschy crustacean-themed chain, uncovering mystery, missteps, and marketing that somehow works. From accidentally boozed-up babies to scandalous decorations and trans fat deception, Joe’s has made some serious waves. Plus, I’m joined by longtime friend and podcast voice Sandy Rose to question whether you can truly trust a restaurant that sells shirts

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53:15

Panera Bread Is a Pastry Paradise

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/04/09

We finally ate at Panera Bread — and while the bakery items impressed, the rest of the experience was a chaotic medley of kiosk confusion, bathroom code injustice, and raw onion overload. I’m joined once again by Lyss Johnson (comedian, friend, and former Panera employee) as we break down every detail of our in-person visit to the iconic soup-slinging, salad-stacking chain. Can the cinnamon crunch bagel save this spot from mediocrity? Or is Panera coasting on vibes and vending machine tech? 🥯 The

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42:40

Panera Bread: Infinite Refills, Caffeinated Chaos,...

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/04/02

🚨 Panera Bread: Infinite Refills, Chicken Fights & Lemonade Lawsuits 🚨 From a humble Missouri bakery to one of the most recognizable fast-casual chains in the country, Panera Bread has been on a wild ride. This week, I dive deep into the breadbasket of chaos that is Panera’s history — including aggressive ad campaigns, billion-dollar innovations, and a beverage scandal that stirred national headlines. Plus, I’m joined by Lyss Johnson — comedian and former Panera employee — to break down what it’s

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51:24

Is Dairy Queen Worth a 2 Hour Drive?

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/03/26

🍦 We Drove 2 Hours for Dairy Queen – Was It Worth It? 🍦 We hit the road and drove nearly two hours to the nearest Dairy Queen Grill & Chill to finally see if there’s more to DQ than just frozen nostalgia. We tried three burgers (including a surprisingly delicious Flamethrower), fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, and two iconic desserts—the Blizzard and the Banana Split. The building looked half-abandoned, the service felt five-star, and the bathroom was designed by David Lynch, apparently. Is

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47:36

Dairy Queen’s Rise to Power – The Blizzard Effect

"Fine" Dining ·

2025/03/19

Dairy Queen is more than just ice cream—it was one of the first fast-food chains to take over America. In this episode, we dive into how a self-proclaimed chemist helped perfect soft serve, why DQ dominated the 1950s, and the moment that changed everything: the invention of the Blizzard. Joining me is writer & director Tyler Eaton of the new horror-comedy film Mysterious Ways, as we explore Dairy Queen’s rise, its questionable hot food menu, and whether it still lives up to its legendary status

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156 results

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